By promoting innovation and, collaboration between stakeholders in the plastic value chain specific to the food and beverage sector, the Plastic Reboot Project seeks to address plastic pollution through upstream and midstream circular interventions while contributing to a more equitable, and sustainable economy.

The “Plastic Reboot Project: Circular Solutions for Plastic Pollution in South Africa” is a pioneering effort to reduce plastic waste at its source – transforming how plastic is designed, used, and managed across the entire packaging value chain.

The multi-year project aims to achieve a systems-level shift in the plastics value chain across South Africa. Its vision is to contribute to South Africa’s transition toward a thriving, equitable and inclusive circular economy for plastic packaging and short-lived plastic products in the food and beverage sector, which would create well-being for society and the environment.

The project focuses specifically on upstream and midstream stages of the plastic packaging lifecycle:

• Upstream: Eliminate unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic plastic products and hazardous additives; shift to sustainable alternatives and reuse and refill; and use recycled plastics as feedstock, all of which will displace virgin plastic production.

• Midstream: Support innovation to extend the life of products where plastics are necessary, by creating reusable or recyclable products and by creating circular systems (reuse, refill, repair, resell, repurpose); as well as reducing unnecessary consumption of plastics by consumers and commercial users, especially for short-lived plastic products.

• Downstream: The project will not directly fund downstream activities (among them collection, segregation, recycling, incineration, landfill, disposal of residues, and clean-ups of legacy plastics in the environment), but its upstream and midstream interventions will synergise and complement existing initiatives and projects in this stage.

The Plastic Reboot Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) acting as the international implementation agency. In South Africa, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) will be the national focal point while the national execution agency is WWF South Africa in collaboration with partners the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and GreenCape.

Levy Maduse, Acting UNIDO Representative, said: “The Plastic Reboot South Africa project is part of a GEF-funded global programme across 15 countries, for which UNIDO serves as an implementing agency. With strong national partners in South Africa, the project is set to drive innovative actions in the upstream and midstream of the food and beverage sector. Through this collaboration, it is expected not only to help mitigate challenges addressing plastic pollution in South Africa but also to contribute to global environmental benefits, including mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions across the plastic life cycle, and decreased releases of persistent organic pollutants from the burning of plastic waste. In addition, the project is expected to foster healthier communities and create jobs across genders in South Africa.”

Lorren de Kock, Senior Technical Specialist, WWF South Africa, commented: “Plastic pollution is not just a waste problem. It’s a design, systems, and equity challenge. As the world moves towards a circular future, the Plastic Reboot Project positions South Africa at the forefront of circular innovation in plastics, proving that with the right strategies and partnerships, sustainable solutions are not only possible, but within reach.”

Anton Nahman, Principal Environmental Economist, CSIR, said: “Scientific evidence is critical for identifying solutions to the plastic pollution crisis that are effective, relevant to the South African context, and that avoid unforeseen negative consequences. Downstream solutions such as improved waste management and recycling, while important, will not be enough on their own to address the challenge of plastic pollution. A system-wide approach is needed, with all role-players working towards a common vision. The CSIR is therefore excited to be part of this project, which focuses on upstream and midstream interventions for increased circularity in food and beverage packaging in South Africa.”

Claire Pengelly, Head of Strategic Partnerships, GreenCape, commented: "As the Secretariat of the SA Plastics Pact, GreenCape is proud to collaborate on Plastic Reboot South Africa, a catalytic initiative designed to  spark system-wide change across the plastic packaging value chain. The SA Plastics Pact is at the forefront of this transition, uniting business, government, civil society, and the informal sector to eliminate problematic plastics, redesign packaging, scale reuse, and increase recycled content. This project builds on that momentum of achieving the Plastic Pact’s goals and targets by strengthening our membership's platform to deepen partnerships, harness new tools, and build the evidence needed to scale circular packaging solutions. Together, we will unlock innovation, create jobs and investment, reduce plastic pollution and help shape policies that guide South Africa’s shift to a circular plastics economy.”